Flora / Fauna, Death Valley National Park

As you probably know, Death Valley is considered the hottest spot in North America. It once held the record for hottest place in the world for nine years, - at 134F degrees....I think. June july August and September are the hottest ranging from 110 to high 120s. Frankly it seems to be higher as the air seems hotter. I once took a group of French tourists through Death Valley in August. They had not considered the heat at all. The road through the valley is a low slope, just enough for the bus to get so hot that we travelled in 1st gear most of the way, and left distinct tire tracks in the asphalt. I don't remember much of the sites anymore, except Scotty's Castle, in the north part of the valley. Scotty was an old gold prospector who claimed he built the castle with the gold he prospected. It is myth however. A wealthy family had it built, and let Scotty stay there. There are also several Ghost towns scattered throughout the valley. I know that the Furnace Creek Inn is still there and I am sure it has been upgrated quite a bit. It used to be the base for an old TV series /20 mule team Borax. Perhaps some will help you with more updated information. Be safe.

Something unexpected and unusual happens each spring in the desert, Wildflowers!

Depending on the amount of rain and snow and when it falls there may be very few flowers or the rocky apparently dead mantle will explode with flowers of ever conceivable color, shape and size.

Look for flowers depending on elevation and weather between February (this photo late February) and May.

Not what one would expect in the lowest elevations and hottest part of the desert. The gardens thrive on the grounds of the Furnace Creek Inn. The water gardens & lily pads are shaded from the towering palms above.